Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signs a law on ratification of a treaty making Crimea part of Russia in Moscow last Friday. (Sergei Chirikov, AFP, Getty Images)

Economic sanctions will do nothing to stop Vladimir Putin’s great adventures. Why not work with Ukraine to establish and improve their economic system? I’m sure there are plenty of U.S. and EU businesses that may want to work with Ukraine, such as farm implement companies, oil and gas companies, etc. Once their economies are in full swing with our and the EU’s help and presence, Russians will look across their borders in regret at the shining cities on the hills of Ukraine.

Impose an all-out economic war on Russia by making Ukraine the economic Mecca of Eastern Europe. Putin couldn’t keep up. I’m sure the Russian people would get the message quickly.

Ukraine is sitting on 39 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, not to mention oil reserves. It’s also the bread basket of Eastern Europe. Use this to choke the Russian bear.

Charles Krauthammer writes, “Why did we deny Ukraine weapons? Because in the Barack Obama-John Kerry worldview, arming the victim might be taken as a provocation.” Apparently there is no world crisis that isn’t best dealt with by waging war, in his view.

I have followed Krauthammer’s career for at least 10 years. I once saw him on stage in Boulder at the University of Colorado’s Conference on World Affairs. In response to a young man’s question on the subject of the second Iraq war, Krauthammer answered to the effect, “You should be thankful that in this country you can stand there and ask questions challenging authority as you just have.” I was reminded of nothing so much as Dr. Strangelove in the flesh and walked out.
When it comes to provocation, Krauthammer is an expert.

Lewis J. Thompson III, Denver

This letter was published in the March 25 edition.

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So Cory Gardner really expects us to believe that his sudden change of heart about his previous stance on the “personhood” amendment he worked so diligently to get on the ballot is just coincidental with his entering a statewide race where that viewpoint is likely to get him nowhere fast. Hmm. Another Republican whose principles can be not just tweaked but reversed when faced with political expendiency.

Jeannie Dunham, Denver

This letter was published in the March 25 edition.

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A young Syrian refugee sits on the ground in front of a makeshift house in the ancient Byzantine-Christian city of Serjilla on March 19. The brutal war in Syria between President Bashar al-Assad and opposition forces has forced 2.5 million Syrians to flee abroad and another 6.5 million have been internally displaced. (Ali Nasser, AFP/Getty Images )

I don’t get it. We see films of the Syrian refugees who are desperate for food and medical assistance. Many will die without our help.

But the world seems to focus on one missing airplane. Obviously all the passengers are gone, but millions will be spent trying to salvage some metal parts or their remains.

Doesn’t our sense of humanity mean we save the living?

Katharine Baron, Lakewood

This letter was published in the March 25 edition.

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Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert dressed in a toga outside the Governor’s mansion to protest Gov. John Hickenlooper’s promotion of the state brewing industry while publicly discouraging the use of pot last Friday. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post

Twice in three days, the Denver Post editorial board published editorials that push against the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In the first instance, while acknowledging Occupy Denver’s legal compliance, you condemn its protesters’ actions in a residential neighborhood as an “outrageous activity” that is “ruining others’ right to live in peace,” a right not guaranteed in the Constitution.

In the second instance, you criticize the demonstration by marijuana activists at the governor’s mansion as a publicity stunt and state the “industry should accept its discreet place.”

Whether one agrees with the two activities or not, the inference is that you are against groups exercising their free-speech rights when you don’t approve of their methods. Instead of denigrating the groups’ activities, you might have constructively offered alternate ways for each group to express their positions.

Regardless, the thrust and tone of your editorials run counter to the ideals which your paper should espouse, that of promoting the free exercise of our freedoms.

Gary Garrison, Ward

This letter was published in the March 25 edition.

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Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.